Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1538322
12 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 10 AUGUST 2025 NEWS UNHCR funding crisis hits Malta branch THE Malta office of the UN refugee agen- cy, UNHCR, is curtailing some of its op- erations as the international organisation deals with an ongoing funding crisis. A spokesperson for UNHCR Malta said details of the new operational plan for Malta are still "under review" but support services such as public relations will be coordinated by the office in Italy. "As has been the case for many human- itarian organisations, UNHCR's global presence has been impacted by the on- going funding crisis," the spokesperson confirmed. The news filtered through last week when the communications office of UN- HCR Malta informed journalists that any future communication should go through the Italian office. Nonetheless, the spokesperson con- firmed that the UNHCR will continue to maintain an operational presence and office in Malta. The UNHCR has been actively present in Malta since 2005. "While the details of the new operation- al plan for Malta are still under review, UNHCR's Malta operations remain ac- tive and functioning, providing services to people of concern to our mandate. In the interim and moving forward, support services, such as that of public informa- tion, are being coordinated by the Italy multi-country office," the spokesperson said. During a press briefing in Geneva last month, UNHCR's Director of External Relations Dominique Hyde said that fol- lowing major cuts to humanitarian budg- ets worldwide, up to 11.6 million refugees and others forced to flee, risk losing ac- cess this year to direct humanitarian as- sistance from UNHCR. Hyde was quoting from a report that showed how UNHCR funding require- ments for 2025 are $10.6 billion and at the midpoint of the year, only 23% had been met. The UNHCR called on governments to step up contributions to enable the or- ganisation to meet the growing demands of displaced people. Although the report did not name coun- tries that have slashed contributions, the funding crisis was compounded after the US, which provided 40% of UNHCR's funding last year, dramatically cut its con- tribution. Since taking office in January, Presi- dent Donald Trump's administration has made funding cuts to the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and its aid programmes worldwide in what it says is part of its broader plan to remove wasteful spending. UNHCR said it has had to stop or sus- pend about $1.4bn worth of aid pro- grammes, including a 60% reduction in financial aid and emergency relief sup- plies in many countries, including Sudan, Myanmar and Afghanistan. The UNHCR works in several areas all over the world, providing aid, humanitar- ian support and services to refugees. Operations to continue but certain support services transferred to Italy KURT SANSONE ksansone@mediatoday.com.mt The UNHCR has had a representative office in Malta since 2005